TY - JOUR
T1 - Sustainability innovation cube - A framework to evaluate sustainability-oriented innovations
AU - Hansen, Erik G.
AU - Grosse-Dunker, Friedrich
AU - Reichwald, Ralf
N1 - Funding Information:
We gratefully acknowledge funding received by the Peter Pribilla Foundation. Furthermore, all participants of the interviews provided valuable insights and feedback for which we are very thankful. We also thank Stephanie Bergbauer, Lilli Hantke, Christine Weisserth, Angelika Bullinger and Anne-Katrin Neyer for their excellent supportandfeedback. Finally, weappreciatedfeedback oftheanonymousreviewers.
PY - 2009/12
Y1 - 2009/12
N2 - Corporations increasingly subscribe to the principles of corporate sustainability, which is generally described as the integration of economic, environmental and social dimensions. Concerning innovation management, this emphasises the role of sustainability-oriented innovations (SOI). SOI is considered a tool both to address sustainability issues and to tap into new customer segments and markets. Yet SOI are very risky: both their market success and non-economic sustainability are uncertain. This paper presents a generic model termed the 'Sustainability Innovation Cube' (SIC) for structuring innovations' sustainability effects in order to better inform corporate decision-makers about how to minimize the directional risk of SOI. The model includes the three dimensions: target, life cycle and innovation type. A qualitative expert study reveals the opportunities and challenges related to the developed model. Finally, practical implications are derived, limitations are discussed and a brief outlook is given.
AB - Corporations increasingly subscribe to the principles of corporate sustainability, which is generally described as the integration of economic, environmental and social dimensions. Concerning innovation management, this emphasises the role of sustainability-oriented innovations (SOI). SOI is considered a tool both to address sustainability issues and to tap into new customer segments and markets. Yet SOI are very risky: both their market success and non-economic sustainability are uncertain. This paper presents a generic model termed the 'Sustainability Innovation Cube' (SIC) for structuring innovations' sustainability effects in order to better inform corporate decision-makers about how to minimize the directional risk of SOI. The model includes the three dimensions: target, life cycle and innovation type. A qualitative expert study reveals the opportunities and challenges related to the developed model. Finally, practical implications are derived, limitations are discussed and a brief outlook is given.
KW - Decision framework
KW - Life cycle assessment
KW - Product innovation
KW - Sustainability innovation
KW - Sustainable development
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=76449120219&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1142/S1363919609002479
DO - 10.1142/S1363919609002479
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:76449120219
SN - 1363-9196
VL - 13
SP - 683
EP - 713
JO - International Journal of Innovation Management
JF - International Journal of Innovation Management
IS - 4
ER -
